Reflector button unit



Oct. 31, 1939. J. R. WALD ET AL 2,177.92()

REFLECTOR BUTTON UNIT Filed May 24, 1937 www Patented Oct. `31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFLECTOR BUTTON UNIT John R. Wald and Gilbert Rodli, Huntingdon, Pa. 'Application May 24, 1937, Serial No. 144,536

` 5 claims.

The present invention relates primarily to reliector buttons of the reliex reflecting type, such' as are commonly used to form indicia for warning motorists, giving directions, etc. More specifically, this invention has especial relation to combined reflector and retainer means for reflector buttons of the aforementioned character. The present invention relates further to the use of synthetic resinous materials, such as the methu yl methacrylate resins and the like, for making the said reflector buttons.

Signs comprising a studding of reflector buttons are well known to every motorist; perhaps the most familiar type of sign of this type is the 'i stop sign appearing at intersections for the purpose of controlling the traic entering a thoroughfare. Such signs generally consist of a colored disk on an upright post with reflector buttons embedded in the surface of the disk ln such a Way that a beam of light directed against the sign at night will cause the reflection of the Word stop in brilliant letters. In the day-time, the word is, of course, apparent Without the use of a light beam.

` It is with a sign of this general type that the present invention is most advantageously employed, although, as stated above, the invention can well be used on amultitude of different types of signs and indicia.

y The known signs are eiiicient when rst installed, but after exposure to the elements for a comparatively short time, the reflector buttons seem to lose their brilliance. The result is that the sign must be replaced from time to time.

f; It has been discovered `that the reason for the degeneration of such signs lies in the fact that the mountings of the buttons are so constructed that air finally reaches and corrodes the surface of the reector element.

40 according to the prior art, the mounting or retainer consists of a cup-shaped receptacle in which is arranged a glass button. The bottom of the receptacle or of the glass button is pro- 45 vided with a coating of lreecting material. Ac-

cess of air and/or moisture to the latter causes the degeneration above referred to.

In a second form of reflector button proposed by the prior art in an attempt to obviate the m above-mentioned defect of corrosion and deterioration of the reflector surface, the refiector element is embedded in the glass material of the button. However, the temperature necessary for the molding of the glass has been found to adversely affect the reflector element. Moreover, it

In one form of button and mounting therefor, l

has further been found that a small quantity of air remains between the said reflector element and the glass button and eventually dulls the reflecting surface. y

Y Another disadvantage of the known signs is the 5 fact that the retainer for the button and the reflecting element are formed of two separate pieces of material, with the result that it is relatively difficult to handle the retainer, the reflector, and the button while assembling them in place on l the surface of the disk.

The present invention, which obviates the above-discussed defects, consists of a one-piece reflector and retainer in combination with a button formed, not of glass, but preferably of a l synthetic resin. By using a one-piece reflector and retainer, assembling of the button on the sign is substantially simplified.

While various of the many available synthetic plastic or resinous materials, such as the urea resins, the amine-formaldehyde resins, etc., may lbe used according to this invention, the preferred resins are those of the methyl methacrylate type (known in the trade as Lucite).

An important advantage of this invention is the fact that the material of which the button is made, according to the invention, is much lighter and can be molded much more easily than l glass. There are many other advantages incident to such a use of resin such as Lucite or the like, as will hereinafter appear.

.The foregoing and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof in which the application of the invention to the stop type of sign is set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partial front view of a completed sign, according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of part of the sign and one of the buttons;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 4 is a cross section of another embodiment 45 of button according to the invention;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 50 1n Flg. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross section of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken through still another form of this invention; and

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3,`

housing II may be composed essentially of a back member I3, a false back I4, and a front member I5. The periphery of either the front or back member may be bent over to form the rim of the housing. Any suitable and conventional means may be provided for retaining the false back I4 in the relative position shown on Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing.

False back I4 is provided with a. p1uraiity of' relatively small openings I6 arranged according to the indicia to be defined. The front member I5 is provided with a corresponding set of relatively large openings I1, as shown. The front member I5 is preferably removable from the backing members I3 and I4.

The several reflecting elements according to the present invention may preferably consist of a reector button proper I2 and a combined reector and retainer member I8, I9, the reector portion I8 of which is wholly embedded in the material of the button, while portions of retainer member I9 project from the bottom o'f the button I2 as shown.

Considering, specifically, the combined reflector and retainer member I8, I9, the reflector portion I8 may assume the form of a hollow semispherical metallic member, arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, i. e., with its inner concave surface toward the front of the button. 'Ihis surface may be made, for example, of brass or steel or the like, and the said inner concave surface is provided with a suitable and conventional reilector coating, e. g., by silvering or by chrome plating or in any other desirable manner.

Integrated with member I8 at the bottom of the exterior surface thereof is the retainer member I9. This consists essentially of a central body portion associated with the reector member I3 by brazing, welding or the like, and a. pair of downwardly-extending resilient arms or iingers 20.

In associating the button I2 and its combined reflector and retainer by molding at elevated temperature, the latter are preferably positioned in such manner that in the nal product the reflector element I8 is totally embedded inl the button while the spring arms 20 extend downwardly from the bottom thereof. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the button itself may preferably be given a substantially ovate configuration.

When assembling the sign, each button I2 is first made fast to the false back I4 by means of the spring fingers 20 which are sprung into place in the corresponding opening I6. The arcuate form of the ngers and their resiliency keepl the buttons securely in place. The front member I5 is then mounted in position over the buttons I2 which project severally through the corresponding openings I1. The material around each opening I'I may be embossed, as shown, so that each button I2 is embraced tightly by the front member I5 at a point beyond the line of maximum diameter of the button. Thus, with the front member in place, the buttons are rmly retained in position thereby as well as by the retainer member I9.

As hereinbefcre stated, buttons I2 may preferably be made of resinous material of the methyl methacrylate type, i. e., a resinous polymerized derivative of methacrylic acid, also known as Lucite.

This material has been found to be particularly suitable for the purposes of the present invention. Thus, due to its low specific gravity as compared with glass, for instance, the resulting sign will be appreciably lighter. Cost of transporting the buttons is also materially reduced.

Lucite contains no volatile solvents which will cause shrinkage by evaporation, so that there is no shrinking thereof away from the embedded reector element upon cooling after molding.

The new resinous material shows substantially no water absorption when exposed to normal weather conditions. Moreover, it will not age or discolor when exposed to sunlight, and is substantially unaffected by ultra-violet light.

The molded material can be readily machined, e. g., on a lathe or the like, to desired configuration.

The molding temperatures of the new material are particularly advantageous ranging from about 285 F. to about 315 F.

As hereinbefore set forth, other known, suitable and desirable resinous compositions may also be used in making buttons I2.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing, it will be seen that according to this embodiment the button 2I preferably assumes the conguration of a headed bolt, the shank portion of which is inserted through an opening I'I' provided in supporting or front member I5. In this form of the invention, the front member I5' is preferably flxed and is associated in any desirable and conventional manner with a removable rear member (not shown). No false back need be employed.

'I'he combined reflector and retainer according to this second modification is made up of a substantially circular reflector portion 22 which, as shown, is wholly embedded in the material of the shank of the button 2|, and of a plurality of vngers 23, 24 which radiate from said reflector portion 22.

Fingers 23 and 24 extend upwardly along the shank portion of the button 2I, projecting laterally from the latter adjacent the bottom thereof. When snapped into place on member I5', fingers 24 assume the position shown in Fig. 6 whereby outward displacement of the button is prevented, the length of fingers 24 being preferably adjusted so that the ends thereof abut the rear surface of plate I5'.

Fingers 23, on the other hand, assume the position clearly shown in Fig. 4, these fingers being of such length that the ends thereof extend into opening I'I, whereby transverse rattling of the buttons is effectively prevented.

To remove or replace a button, the back member is removed and the fingers are compressed by means of a suitable clamping tool whereby the flngers are positioned so that they may be slipped through opening I'I'.

Button 2| is preferably made of Lucite, or

any other suitable and desirable resinous com- 75 position, and member 22 is provided with a re ilecting surface on its outwardly facing side. The parts are so related that the head of the button rests firmly on the outer surface of plate l' when in place.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig, 7. In this form the combined reflector and retainer is made up of an embedded reflector portion 25, 2t and integral fingers 2l extending therefrom. These ilngers project laterally from the shank of boltshaped button 2i adjacent the top part of the shank, being bent back downwardly along the latter. Each finger 2l is resilient due to its configuration.

' The reflector portion comprises a central part tit which corresponds essentially to reflectors 22 and lill of the afore-described embodiments. Portion it, extending between member 25 and the radially projecting fingers 2l, may be substantially cylindrical in form, and the inner surface thereof may preferably also be provided with a reflecting coating. f

The button unit, including the integral reflector and retainer, is snapped into place from the exterior of plate i5', ngers 2l being contracted during inward movement and springing out into the arrangement illustrated. The upper por-tions of ilngers 2l abut the edge of opening il', preventing transverse displacement of the buttons.

A compressing tool may be employed from the rear when removal of the buttons is to be eected, the rear plate (not shown) associated with plate i5 being removable as in the preceding embodiment.

A further formv of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein the resinous button 28 is also of the bolt type so that it comprises an exposed head portion and a shank portion. The combined button retainer and reflector may, according to this embodiment, consist of a totally embedded dished reflector portion 29 integrated with a plurality of arms 30 extending therefrom to the exterior of the button.

The shank of the button ispreferably provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses 3| corresponding in number to the number of arms 30, each recess being adapted to receive its corresponding arm.

In this form of the invention, the maximum outer diameter of the button shank is substantially the same as the diameter of opening I1'. Upon inserting the buttons 28 in plate l5', the retainer arms 30 are forced into recessses 3l until the rear of the head of button 28 is seated against plate l5', whereupon arms 30 spring outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8. A suitable arm compressing tool may be used to effect removal of the buttons from the supporting plate.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is':

l. A reflector unit of the reflex reflecting type consisting of a solid molded button of synthetic resinous material and a combined reflector and retainer therefor, said combined reflector and retainer comprising a reflector element wholly embedded in and surrounded by said material and a retainer element joined to said reflector element in integral relationship therewith, said retainer element including resilient retaining ngers extending from the material of said button, said reflector element having a plurality of surfaces including a reflecting surface, and said synthetic material being in intimate contact with all said surfaces.

2. A reflector unit of the reflex reflecting type consisting of a solid molded bulbous element of synthetic resinous material of the character of polymerized methyl methacrylate and a combined reflector and retainer therefor, said combined reflector and retainer comprising a reflector elen ment entirely embedded in and surrounded by said material and a retainer element joined to said reflector element in integral relationship therewith, said retainer element including resilient retaining ngers projecting rearwardly from said bulbous element, said reflector element having a plurality of surfaces including a reflecting surface, and said synthetic material being in intimate contact with all said surfaces.

3. A reflector unit of the reflex reflecting type consisting of a solid molded synthetic resinous button and a combined reflector and retainer therefor, said button including a body portion having a substantially circular cross section, said combined reflector and retainer comprising a reflector element wholly embedded in and sur.- rounded by the material of said button and a retainer element integral with said reflector ele ment and including resilient retaining fingers extending laterally from the body portion of said button, said reflector element having a plurality of surfaces including a reflecting surface, and said material being in intimate contact with all said surfaces.

4. A reflector unit of the reflex reflecting type consisting of a solid molded synthetic resinous button and a one-piece reflector and retainer therefor, said button being substantially boltshaped and including a head and a shank extending from said head, said reflector and retainer comprising a reflector element wholly embedded in and surrounded by the material of said shank andv a retainer element including resilient retaining fingers extending laterally from said shank adjacent one end thereof, said reflector element having a plurality of surfaces including a reflecting surface, and said material being in intimate contact with all said surfaces.

5. A reflector unit of the reflex reflecting type consisting essentially of a solid molded synthetic resinous button and a combined reflector and retainer therefor, said button `being substantially bolt-shaped and including a head and a shank extending from said head, said combined reflector and retainer including a reflector element wholly embedded in and surrounded by ythe material of said button and a retainer element integral with said reflector element and including resilient retaining fingers extending laterally from said shank adjacent the bottom thereof, said shank being provided Witha plurality of longitudinally extending recesses, the number of which corresponds to the number of said retaining ngers, said recesses being adapted to wholly receive said fingers during mounting and dismounting of the unit, said reector element having a plurality of surfaces including a reflecting surface, and said material being in intimate contact with all said surfaces,

JOI-IN R. WALD. GILBERT RODLI. 

